My Wartime Summers
Discussion Questions:
I. As World War II goes on and Ellen gets older, her understanding of war and her feelings about war change. See if you can trace - and briefly summarize - Ellen's feelings about war during each of her wartime summers. You might begin by thinking: In 1942, Ellen was eleven years old. she had just finished fifth grade. She was very patriotic and very enthusiastic about the war. She was thrilled when she found out her beloved Uncle Bob was going into the army and going off to war. In 1942, war was like an exciting, imaginary game to Ellen.
You take it from there. . .
II. On p. 75, you'll find a discussion of the four freedomes. What are they? Do you think they are important? What do you think about what Uncle Bob writes to Ellen about the two freedoms soldiers do not have (see p. 76). Explain this and discuss it in your own words. Is this fair? Is it necessary? Is there anything anybody can do about it?
III. Reread page 141-145. Why do you think Uncle Bob seemed like such a stranger when he finally came home? Why wasn't he happy? What was bothering him?
IV. Ellen learned some important things during her wartime summers. She learned some things about war, and she learned some things about herself, too. What do you think they were? Can you give examples from the story to support your answers?
V. Ellen was a child who grew up during a terrible war. Even though she grew up in safety in a country where no battles took place, her life was changed by that war. Think of the children who grew up at the same time she did in countries where the war was actually being fought. In what ways were their experiences of wartime different from Ellen's? In what ways do you think their lives were changed by war?
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